Search

Traces of mercury ions in environmental water can harm humans and animals. Paper-based visual detection methods have been widely developed for the rapid detection of mercury ions; however, existing methods are not sensitive enough to be used in real environments. Here, we developed a novel, simple and effective visual fluorescent sensing paper-based chip for the ultrasensitive detection of mercury ions in environmental water. CdTe-quantum-dots-modified silica nanospheres were firmly absorbed by and anchored to the fiber interspaces on the paper's surface to effectively avoid the unevenness caused by liquid evaporation. The fluorescence of quantum dots emitted at 525 nm can be selectively and efficiently quenched with mercury ions, and the ultrasensitive visual fluorescence sensing results attained using this principle can be captured using a smartphone camera. This method has a detection limit of 2.83 µg/L and a fast response time (90 s). We successfully achieved the trace spiking detection of seawater (from three regions), lake water, river water and tap water with recoveries in the range of 96.8–105.4% using this method. This method is effective, low-cost, user-friendly and has good prospects for commercial application. Additionally, the work is expected to be utilized in the automated big data collection of large numbers of environmental samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract To reduce pollution emissions and achieve a cleaner production in paper industry, it is essential to understand the inner links between concentrations of gaseous pollutants, types of final products and production techniques. In this study, the concentrations of four potential gaseous pollutants, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC), formaldehyde (HCHO), hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), and hydrocarbon compounds (C x H y), in the ambient air on thirty sampling points of five pulp and paper mills were detected and analyzed. The results were summarized with respect to the following aspects: (1) Levels of four gaseous pollutants on all the sampling points in five mills. It was obvious that the situation of gaseous pollution from pulp mill was much more serious than those from paper mills. (2) Gaseous pollutant distinctions due to different production processes. The levels of gaseous pollutants from five mills were greatly influenced by the utilized raw materials and the applied paper chemical agents (flavor, coating materials and additives) in mills. (3) Gaseous pollution comparisons at common points. At the two common points in five mills, i.e. the wet end of paper machine and the wastewater treatment process, TVOC and HCHO, C x H y and H 2 S were the main gaseous pollutants, respectively. In addition, some feasible measures to realize a cleaner production in pulping and papermaking process were also put forward in the article. Highlights • We analyze the levels of 4 gaseous pollutants on 30 sites of 5 pulp & paper mills. • Gaseous pollution distinctions due to different production processes are studied. • Feasible measures to realize the cleaner production in the processes are suggested. • Gaseous pollution are greatly affected by raw materials and added paper chemicals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytogenes is the third most deadly foodborne pathogen in the United States. The bacterium is found in soil and water, contaminating raw food products and the processing environment, where it can persist for an extended period. Currently, testing of food contact and non-food contact surfaces is performed using an array of sampling devices and endpoint technologies, offering various levels of sensitivity, cost, user skill, and time to detection. Paper-based microfluidic devices (µPADs) are a rapid detection platform amenable to low-cost, user-friendly, and portable diagnostics. In this study, we developed and evaluated a µPAD platform specific for the colorimetric detection of the Listeria genus following recovery from food contact and non-food contact surfaces. For detection, four colorimetric substrates specific for the detection of β-glucosidase, two broths selective for the detection of Listeria spp., and a nonselective broth were evaluated to facilitate detection of Listeria spp. The limit of detection and time to detection were determined by using pure bacterial cultures. After 8 h enrichment, L. monocytogenes (102 Colony Forming Units (CFU)/coupon) was detected on every surface. After 18 h enrichment, L. monocytogenes (102 CFU/coupon) was detected on all surfaces with all swabbing devices. This study demonstrated the ability of the µPAD-based method to detect potentially stressed cells at low levels of environmental contamination.

We report a smartphone–paper-based sensor impregnated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide modified silver nanoparticles (AgNPs/CTAB) for determination of Fe3+ in water and blood plasma samples. The methodology for determination of Fe3+ is based on the change in signal intensity of AgNPs/CTAB fabricated on a paper substrate after the deposition of analyte, using a smartphone followed by processing with ImageJ software. The mechanism of sensing for detection and determination of Fe3+ is based on the discoloration of AgNPs which impregnated the paper substrate. The discoloration is attributed to the electron transfer reaction taking place on the surface of NPs in the presence of CTAB. Fe3+ was determined when the paper was impregnated with 1 mM AgNPs for 5 min of reaction time and the substrate was kept under acidic conditions. The linear range for determination of total iron in terms of Fe3+ was 50–900 μg L−1 with a limit of determination (LOD) of 20 μg L−1 and coefficient of variation (CV) of 3.2%. The good relative recovery of 91.3–95.0% and interference studies showed the selectivity of the method for determination of total iron in water and blood plasma samples. Smartphone–paper-based sensors have advantages of simplicity, rapidity, user-friendliness, low cost, and miniaturization of the method for on-site determination of total iron compared to methods that require sophisticated analytical instruments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Listeria monocytogenes is the third most deadly foodborne pathogen in the United States. The bacterium is found in soil and water, contaminating raw food products and the processing environment, where it can persist for an extended period. Currently, testing of food contact and non-food contact surfaces is performed using an array of sampling devices and endpoint technologies, offering various levels of sensitivity, cost, user skill, and time to detection. Paper-based microfluidic devices (µPADs) are a rapid detection platform amenable to low-cost, user-friendly, and portable diagnostics. In this study, we developed and evaluated a µPAD platform specific for the colorimetric detection of the Listeria genus following recovery from food contact and non-food contact surfaces. For detection, four colorimetric substrates specific for the detection of β-glucosidase, two broths selective for the detection of Listeria spp., and a nonselective broth were evaluated to facilitate detection of Listeria spp. The limit of detection and time to detection were determined by using pure bacterial cultures. After 8 h enrichment, L. monocytogenes (102 Colony Forming Units (CFU)/coupon) was detected on every surface. After 18 h enrichment, L. monocytogenes (102 CFU/coupon) was detected on all surfaces with all swabbing devices. This study demonstrated the ability of the µPAD-based method to detect potentially stressed cells at low levels of environmental contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a paper device consisted of a patterned paper chip, wicking pads, and a base was fabricated. On the paper chip, DNA–gold nanoparticles (DNA–AuNPs) were deposited and Hg2+ ions could be adsorbed by the DNA–AuNPs. The formed DNA–AuNP/Hg2+ nanozyme could catalyze the tetramethylbenzidine (TMB)–H2O2 chromogenic reaction. Due to the wicking pads, a larger volume of Hg2+ sample could be applied to the paper device for Hg2+ detection and therefore the color response could be enhanced. The paper device achieved a cut-off value of 50 nM by the naked eye for Hg2+ under optimized conditions. Moreover, quantitative measurements could be implemented by using a desktop scanner and extracting grayscale values. A linear range of 50–2000 nM Hg2+ was obtained with a detection limit of 10 nM. In addition, the paper device could be applied in the detection of environmental water samples with high recoveries ranging from 85.7% to 105.6%. The paper-device-based colorimetric detection was low-cost, simple, and demonstrated high potential in real-sample applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Siloxanes have been found widespread usages in our daily lives, but the knowledge on their migration, transformation and toxicity is still limited. Herein we explored the feasibility of using one-sided silica coated paper as filter membrane to capture siloxanes in the outdoor air, followed by direct mass spectrometric analysis. In contrast to mostly utilized fiber membrane, silica coated paper not only exhibited a higher selective sampling efficiency to three siloxanes with structures of H–[Si(CH 3) 2 –O] 7-9 -NH 2 from air, but also possessed a high tolerance to organic solvent during mass spectrometric analysis. Due to the above features, the analysis sensitivity of those siloxanes with silica coated paper has been improved 3.1–134.8 folds in contrast to those with commercial filter membrane. Furthermore, we monitored variation in the levels of those siloxanes for a period of one month, and found that a close association (R2 = 0.7924–0.9559) existed between their contents and climate parameters (e.g., temperature, weather, atmospheric pressure, humidity, wind direction and wind speed) as well as sampling volume. These knowledge provides a facile and effective methodology to both high-efficient sampling siloxanes and environmental assessment of siloxanes according to climate parameters. [Display omitted] • Develop a facile strategy for fabricating one-sided sorbent coated paper substrate. • Exploit silica coated paper for sampling and analyzing siloxanes in outdoor air. • Observe superior capacity of silica coated paper over conventional filter membrane. • Construct a relationship between siloxane contents in air and climate parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The growing demand for compact point-of-care medical devices and portable instruments for on-site environmental sampling has stimulated intense research on flexible sensors that can be miniaturized and function under considerable physical deformation. We report a new type of flexible electrochemical biosensors based on free-standing graphene paper carrying binary nanocomposites of PtAu alloy and MnO2. The coral-like PtAu–MnO2 nanocomposites are grown on the substrate through one-step template-free electrodeposition, leading to an intimate contact between the PtAu alloy and MnO2 matrix. The flexible electrode exhibits a unique set of structural and electrochemical properties such as better uniformity, larger active surface areas, and faster electron transfer in comparison with the control electrode prepared by tandem growth of MnO2 network and PtAu alloy in two steps. In nonenzymatic amperometric glucose detection, the PtAu–MnO2 binary nanostructure-decorated graphene paper has shown greatly enhanced sensing performance such as wide liner range (0.1mM to 30.0mM), high sensitivity (58.54μAcm−2 mM−1), low detection limit (0.02mM, S /N=3), satisfactory selectivity, excellent reproducibility and stability, and tolerability to mechanical stress. The strategy of co-growth of metal and metal oxides on freestanding carbon substrates opens new possibility to develop high-performance flexible electrochemical sensors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Mercury is a dangerous and toxic metal, thus necessitating an analytical method to ascertain its presence. Traditional methods for mercury analysis often involve costly instruments and specialized expertise. However, the Digital Image Colorimetry (DIC) method is an alternative for mercury detection due to its speed, simplicity, and cost-effectiveness. This research aims to synthesize silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Kepundung fruit peel (Baccaurea racemosa) extract as a mercury detector. Baccaurea racemosa has secondary metabolite compounds that can act as natural reducing agents (bioreductors) in synthesizing silver into nanoparticles. AgNPs were optimized and characterized using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FTIR, PSA, and XRD instruments. Mercury detection was explained using RGB Detector and ImageJ. The research results revealed that the optimal conditions for synthesizing AgNPs involved a concentration of 1% extract and a pH of 7. The properties of the AgNPs included a maximum absorption at wavelengths of 400-450 nm, an average particle size of 122.7 nm, a face-centered cubic crystal structure, and characteristic functional groups at wavenumbers of 3453 cm-1, 1700-1600 cm-1, and 1445 cm-1. These spectral features suggested the presence of phytochemical compounds serving as bioreductants. Optimal results for mercury detection were achieved using Whatman paper no. 41 at pH 7. Mercury was detected successfully, whereas Pb2+, Na+, Mg2+, K+, Cu2+, Ca2+, Co2+, Zn2+, and Fe3+ ions were not detected. The validation test obtained a LoD of 0.099 ppm, a LoQ of 0.330 ppm, and a coefficient value (R²) of 0.997, indicating good measurement linearity. Further research can be developed to increase the sensitivity of mercury detection with lower concentrations and extend its application to environmental samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adaptive sampling and situational awareness are key features of modern autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) since data quality can be improved while operation time and cost can be reduced. An example for adaptive sampling in the marine environmental context is thermocline detection and tracking. The thermocline as horizontal ocean layer separates warm and cold water and is a key feature in many marine disciplines. For example, it influences the distribution and exchange of nutrients and is a habitat for many organisms. In this paper we use an unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) based extremum seeking control (ESC) to find and follow ocean layers such as the thermocline. Computer simulations and real-world tests show that the method is able to find and track non-trivial real-world ocean layers with sensors subject to hysteresis and delay effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detection method for type-II pyrethroids in an environmental water sample using a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) is reported here. The detection approach is based on the formation of cyanide from the hydrolysis of type-II pyrethroids and the colorimetric detection of cyanide on a layer-based µPAD. Parafilm and inexpensive laminating pouches were used to create a hydrophobic barrier for the assay on the µPAD. This detection approach was selective to type-II pyrethroids in water for which an environmental water sample was tested. The calibration curves for cypermethrin, deltamethrin, cyhalothrin, and fenvalerate ranged from 2 to 40 µg/mL without sample preconcentration. The lower concentrations of type-II pyrethroids can be assessed by including a preconcentration step prior to the detection on a µPAD. This detection system provides an alternative platform for fast, semiquantitative testing for pesticide contamination in environmental surface water by allowing for portability, low reagent/sample consumption, and low-cost testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A planar solid-state ammonium-selective electrode, employing a composite mediator layer of graphite particles embedded in a polyvinyl butyral matrix on top of an inkjet-printed silver electrode, is presented in this paper. The effect of graphite powder mass fraction on the magnitude of the potentiometric response of the sensor was systematically verified using a batch-mode and a flow injection measurement setup. Under steady-state conditions, the paper electrode provided a Nernstian response of 57.30 mV/pNH4 over the concentration range of 10−5 M to 10−1 M with a detection limit of 4.8 × 10−6 M, while the analytical performance of the array in flow mode showed a narrower linear range (10−4 M to 10−1 M; 60.91 mV/pNH4 slope) with a LOD value of 5.6 × 10−5 M. The experimental results indicate that the prepared electrode exhibited high stability and fast response to different molar concentrations of ammonium chloride solutions. The pH-response of the paper NH4-ISE was also investigated, and the sensor remained stable in the pH range of 2.5–8.5. The potentiometric sensor presented here is simple, lightweight and inexpensive, with a potential application for in-situ analysis of environmental water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal conservation is gaining momentum globally, but many challenges remain. To advance further, more data are needed on fungal diversity across space and time. Fundamental information regarding population sizes, trends, and geographic ranges is also critical to accurately assess the extinction risk of individual species. However, obtaining these data is particularly difficult for fungi due to their immense diversity, complex and problematic taxonomy, and cryptic nature. This paper explores how citizen science (CS) projects can be leveraged to advance fungal conservation efforts. We present several examples of past and ongoing CS‐based projects to record and monitor fungal diversity. These include projects that are part of broad collecting schemes, those that provide participants with targeted sampling methods, and those whereby participants collect environmental samples from which fungi can be obtained. We also examine challenges and solutions for how such projects can capture fungal diversity, estimate species absences, broaden participation, improve data curation, and translate resulting data into actionable conservation measures. Finally, we close the paper with a call for professional mycologists to engage with amateurs and local communities, presenting a framework to determine whether a given project would likely benefit from participation by citizen scientists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of smartphone-based color evaluation of passive sampling devices for gases has only been sparsely reported. The present review aims to compile available publications with respect to the configuration of the passive samplers, conditions of smartphone photographing, analytical procedures for color detection and quantification (including calibration processes), and their application to different target gases. The performance of the methods—whenever available—is presented regarding the analytical specifications selectivity, sensitivity, and limit of detection in comparison with other color evaluation methods of passive samplers. Practical aspects like requirements of instrumentation and ease of use will be outlined in view of the potential employment in education and citizen science projects. In one section of the review, the inconsistent terminology of passive and diffusive sampling is discussed in order to clarify the distinction of information obtained from the uptake of the passive samplers between gas-phase concentration and the accumulated deposition flux of gaseous analytes. Colorimetric gas sensors are included in the review when applied in passive sampling configurations and evaluation is performed with smartphone-based color evaluation. Differences in the analytical procedures employed after the passive sampling step and prior to the detection of the colored compounds are also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast, simple, and low-cost on-site visualized detection of inorganic phosphate (Pi) is in great demand since phosphate is the major reason of eutrophication. In this work, a ratiometric fluorescent probe composed by green carbon dots (GCDs) and red carbon dots (RCDs) has been established for high-sensitivity and selective sensing of Pi. A trend of color change from red to green is observed for the detection of Pi under ultraviolet light and the detection limit is 0.09 μM in the range of 0 to 55 μM. Fluorescent test paper prepared from the probe solution was successfully applied to semi-quantitative visual detection of Pi in real-world water and soil samples, which shows great real-world application potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to maintain a ski resort efficiently, regular inspections of the cableways are essential. However, there are some difficulties in discovering and observing the cable car cableways in the ski resort. This paper proposes a high-precision segmentation and extraction method based on the 3D laser point cloud data collected by airborne lidar to address these problems. In this method, first, an elevation filtering algorithm is used to remove ground points and low-height vegetation, followed by preliminary segmentation of the cableway using the spatial distribution characteristics of the point cloud. The ropeway segmentation and extraction are then completed using the least squares-principal component combination analysis method for parameter fitting. Additionally, we selected three samples of data from the National Alpine Ski Center to be used as test objects. The real value is determined by the number of point clouds manually deducted by CloudCompare. The extraction accuracy is defined as the ratio of the number of point clouds extracted by the algorithm to the number of point clouds manually extracted. While the environmental complexities of the samples differ, the algorithm proposed in this paper is capable of segmenting and extracting cableways with great accuracy, achieving a comprehensive and effective extraction accuracy rate of 90.59%, which is sufficient to meet the project's requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are carbon–fluorine compounds with widespread industrial and domestic use, posing potential toxicological risks to humans and ecosystems. Several analytical methods have been developed to assess the occurrence of PFASs in the environment, but a standardized method, applicable to all matrices, is still lacking. This paper reviews the extraction and chromatographic detection methods for PFAS assessment in environmental samples, considering parameters such as the LOD, LOQ, and recoveries. Solid phase extraction (SPE) is commonly used, showing high recovery rates for water, soil, and sediment samples using HBL and WAX polymeric sorbents (85–100% and 93–111.5%, respectively). LC-MS has demonstrated low LODs and LOQs in seawater (0.01–0.08 ng L−1; 0.03–0.24 ng L−1), marine sediment (0.002–0.018 ng g−1; 0.004–0.054 ng g−1), and dust (0.08–0.68 pg g−1; 0.26–2.25 pg g−1), indicating its sensitivity when detecting trace PFAS levels. Evaluating PFASs is crucial for the development of future removal strategies and risk assessments. Potential solutions including the use of PFAS substitutes and innovative adsorption techniques for their adsorption could present promise in reducing their environmental presence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of materials with changing visual properties with lighting and observation directions has found broad utility across diverse industries, from architecture and fashion to automotive and film production. The expanding array of applications and appearance reproduction requirements emphasizes the critical role of material appearance measurement and surface characterization. Such measurements offer twofold benefits in soft proofing and product quality control, reducing errors and material waste while providing objective quality assessment. Some image-based setups have been proposed to capture the appearance of material surfaces with spatial variations in visual properties in terms of Spatially Varying Bidirectional Reflectance Distribution Functions (SVBRDF) and Bidirectional Texture Functions (BTF). However, comprehensive exploration of optical design concerning spectral channels and per-pixel incident-reflection direction calculations, along with measurement validation, remains an unexplored domain within these systems. Therefore, we developed a novel advanced multispectral image-based device designed to measure SVBRDF and BTF, addressing these gaps in the existing literature. Central to this device is a novel rotation table as sample holder and passive multispectral imaging. In this paper, we present our compact multispectral image-based appearance measurement device, detailing its design, assembly, and optical considerations. Preliminary measurements showcase the device's potential in capturing angular and spectral data, promising valuable insights into material appearance properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To non-invasively monitor personal biological and environmental samples in Internet of Things (IoT)-based wearable microfluidic sensing applications, the particle size could be key to sensing, which emphasizes the need for particle size fractionation. Deterministic lateral displacement (DLD) is a microfluidic structure that has shown great potential for the size fractionation of micro- and nano-sized particles. This paper introduces a new externally balanced multi-section cascade DLD approach with a section-scaling technique aimed at expanding the dynamic range of particle size separation. To analyze the design tradeoffs of this new approach, a robust model that also accounts for practical fabrication limits is presented, enabling designers to visualize compromises between the overall device size and the achievement of various performance goals. Furthermore, results show that a wide variety of size fractionation ranges and size separation resolutions can be achieved by cascading multiple sections of an increasingly smaller gap size and critical separation dimension. Model results based on DLD theoretical equations are first presented, followed by model results that apply the scaling restrictions associated with the second order of effects, including practical fabrication limits, the gap/pillar size ratio, and pillar shape. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the extensive host range of influenza A viruses, it is difficult to determine the best diagnostic algorithm to efficiently screen samples from a variety of host species for influenza A viruses. While there are some influenza diagnostic algorithms that are specific to host species, to our knowledge, no single algorithm exists for the characterization of influenza A viruses across multiple host species. In this paper, we propose an algorithm that can serve as a guide for screening human, animal, and environmental samples for influenza A viruses of high human and animal health importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aristolochic acids (AAs) are a toxic substance present in certain natural plants. Direct human exposure to these plants containing AAs leads to a severe and irreversible condition known as aristolochic acid nephropathy (AAN). Additionally, AAs accumulation in the food chain through environmental mediators can trigger Balkan endemic nephropathy (BEN), an environmental variant of AAN. This paper presents a concise overview of the oncogenic pathways associated with AAs and explores the various routes of environmental exposure to AAs. The detection and removal of AAs in natural plants, drugs, and environmental and biological samples were classified and summarized, and the advantages and disadvantages of the various methods were analyzed. It is hoped that this review can provide effective insights into the detection and removal of AAs in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The excessive concentration of heavy-metal mercury ions (Hg2+) in the environment seriously affects the ecological environment and even threatens human health. Therefore, it is necessary to develop rapid and low-cost determination methods to achieve trace detection of Hg2+. In this paper, an Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensing platform using a functionalized rare-earth material (cerium oxide, CeO2) as the luminescent unit and an aptamer as a capture unit was designed and constructed. Using the specific asymmetric matching between Hg2+ and thymine (T) base pairs in the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) single strand, the "T−Hg−T" structure was formed to change the ECL signal, leading to a direct and sensitive response to Hg2+. The results show a good linear relationship between the concentration and the response signal within the range of 10 pM–100 µM for Hg2+, with a detection limit as low as 0.35 pM. In addition, the ECL probe exhibits a stable ECL performance and excellent specificity for identifying target Hg2+. It was then successfully used for spiked recovery tests of actual samples in the environment. The analytical method solves the problem of poor Hg2+ recognition specificity, provides a new idea for the efficient and low-cost detection of heavy-metal pollutant Hg2+ in the environment, and broadens the prospects for the development and application of rare-earth materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two phosphorous (V) corrole complexes, [5,10,15-pentafluorophenyl corrole] phosphorous (V) (PFCorr) and [10-(4-trimethylsilylphenyl)-5,15-dimesityl-corrole] phosphorous (V) (PCorr) were synthesized and tested as nitrite-sensitive fluorophores. Fluorimetry studies on ligand sensitivity towards anions were carried out in solution, then inside polymeric membrane optodes deposited on glass, and finally by functionalized SiO2 nanoparticles deposited on a paper support. The selective fluorescence quenching was registered upon addition of an increasing amount of NO2− ions for both ligands. The influence on the PFCorr optode's response of the lipophilic sites' functionalization was investigated. The sensors' suitability for nitrite assessment in natural waters at levels 10-fault lower than the WHO's recommended maximum concentration level of 3 mg/L was demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which compares the changes in global mean temperature obtained from emission driven Global Climate Model (GCM) in response to various future scenarios. It states GCM simulations models uncertainties in atmospheric feedbacks, ocean physics, and land carbon cycle and aerosol sulphur cycles. It suggests that uncertainty sampling from the emission leads to a wide range of atmospheric concentrations and results of changes in temperature.

As seen in earlier and present pandemics, monitoring pathogens in the environment can offer multiple insights on their spread, evolution, and even future outbreaks. The present paper assesses the opportunity to detect microbial pathogens and associated antibiotic resistance genes, in relation to specific pathogen sources, by using nanopore sequencing in municipal waters and wastewaters in Romania. The main results indicated that waters collecting effluents from a meat processing facility exhibit altered communities' diversity and abundance, with reduced values (101–108 and 0.86–0.91) of Chao1 and, respectively, Simpson diversity indices and Campylobacterales as main order, compared with other types of municipal waters where the same diversity index had much higher values of 172–214 and 0.97–0.98, and Burkholderiaceae and Pseudomonadaceae were the most abundant families. Moreover, the incidence and type of antibiotic resistance genes were significantly influenced by the proximity of antibiotic sources, with either tetracycline (up to 45% of total reads) or neomycin, streptomycin and tobramycin (up to 3.8% total reads) resistance incidence being shaped by the sampling site. As such, nanopore sequencing proves to be an easy-to-use, accessible molecular technique for environmental pathogen surveillance and associated antibiotic resistance genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The escalating utilization of pesticides has led to pronounced environmental contamination, posing a significant threat to agroecosystems. The extensive and persistent global application of these chemicals has been linked to a spectrum of acute and chronic human health concerns. This review paper focuses on the concentrations of airborne pesticides in both indoor and outdoor environments. The collection of diverse pesticide compounds from the atmosphere is examined, with a particular emphasis on active and passive air sampling techniques. Furthermore, a critical evaluation is conducted on the methodologies employed for the extraction and subsequent quantification of airborne pesticides. This analysis takes into consideration the complexities involved in ensuring accurate measurements, highlighting the advancements and limitations of current practices. By synthesizing these aspects, this review aims to foster a more comprehensive and informed comprehension of the intricate dynamics related to the presence and measurement of airborne pesticides. This, in turn, is poised to significantly contribute to the refinement of environmental monitoring strategies and the augmentation of precise risk assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibrio vulnificus (Vv) and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (Vp) are water- and foodborne bacteria that can cause several distinct human diseases, collectively called vibriosis. The success of oyster aquaculture is negatively impacted by high Vibrio abundances. Myriad environmental factors affect the distribution of pathogenic Vibrio, including temperature, salinity, eutrophication, extreme weather events, and plankton loads, including harmful algal blooms. In this paper, we synthesize the current understanding of ecological drivers of Vv and Vp and provide a summary of various tools used to enumerate Vv and Vp in a variety of environments and environmental samples. We also highlight the limitations and benefits of each of the measurement tools and propose example alternative tools for more specific enumeration of pathogenic Vv and Vp. Improvement of molecular methods can tighten better predictive models that are potentially important for mitigation in more controlled environments such as aquaculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first part of the review provides general information about the solvent extraction of organic compounds from solid samples and discusses various methods for its implementation: extraction in a Soxhlet apparatus, ultrasonic extraction, microwave-assisted extraction. Based on an analysis of review papers, information on the features of sample preparation using these methods is systematized, experimental parameters affecting extraction efficiency are considered, and examples of using these methods for isolating organic compounds in the analysis of solid environmental samples, food products, and plants are given. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The determination of 241Am in the environment is of importance in monitoring its release and assessing its environmental impact and radiological risk. This paper aims to give an overview about the recent developments and the state-of-art analytical methods for 241Am determination in environmental samples. Thorough discussions are given in this paper covering a wide range of aspects, including sample pre-treatment and pre-concentration methods, chemical separation techniques, source preparation, radiometric and mass spectrometric measurement techniques, speciation analyses, and tracer applications. The paper focuses on some hyphenated separation methods based on different chromatographic resins, which have been developed to achieve high analytical efficiency and sample throughput for the determination of 241Am. The performances of different radiometric and mass spectrometric measurement techniques for 241Am are evaluated and compared. Tracer applications of 241Am in the environment, including speciation analyses of 241Am, and applications in nuclear forensics are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we present a decentralized sparse Gaussian process regression (DSGPR) model with event-triggered, adaptive inducing points. We address common issues inherent in decentralized frameworks such as high computation costs, inter-agent message bandwidth restrictions, and data fusion integrity. We also improve real-time sparse Gaussian process regression models by introducing an adaptation of the mean shift and fixed-width clustering algorithms called radial clustering. Radial clustering enables real-time SGPR models to have an adaptive number of inducing points through an efficient inducing point selection process. The entire DSGPR framework is evaluated on multiple simulated random vector fields. The results show that this framework effectively estimates vector fields using multiple autonomous agents. We also show the practical use of these algorithms by testing them on hardware typical for small autonomous vehicles [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this review is to present methods of adsorptive stripping voltammetry that can be used to determine trace amounts of VO2(+) in various types of samples. The detection limits achieved using different working electrodes are presented. The factors influencing the obtained signal, including the selection of the complexing agent and the selection of the working electrode, are shown. For some methods, in order to increase the range of applied concentrations in which vanadium can be detected, a catalytic effect is introduced to adsorptive stripping voltammetry. The influence of the foreign ions and organic matter contained in natural samples on the vanadium signal is analyzed. This paper presents methods of elimination associated with the presence of surfactants in the samples. The methods of adsorptive stripping voltammetry for the simultaneous determination of vanadium with other metal ions are also characterized below. Finally, the practical use of the developed procedures, mainly for the analysis of food and environmental samples, is summarized in a tabular version. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discharge of mine tailings significantly impacts the ecological status of the sea. Methods to efficiently monitor the extent of dispersion is essential to protect sensitive areas. By combining underwater robotic sampling with ocean models, we can choose informative sampling sites and adaptively change the robot's path based on in situ measurements to optimally map the tailings distribution near a seafill. This paper creates a stochastic spatio-temporal proxy model of dispersal dynamics using training data from complex numerical models. The proxy model consists of a spatio-temporal Gaussian process model based on an advection–diffusion stochastic partial differential equation. Informative sampling sites are chosen based on predictions from the proxy model using an objective function favoring areas with high uncertainty and high expected tailings concentrations. A simulation study and data from real-life experiments are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports the search of available data published regarding microbial occupational exposure assessment in poultries, following the PRISMA methodology. Air collection through filtration was the most frequently used. The most commonly used passive sampling method was material collection such as dust, cages, soils, sediment, and wastewater. Regarding assays applied, the majority of studies comprised culture-based methods, but molecular tools were also frequently used. Screening for antimicrobial susceptibility was performed only for bacteria; cytotoxicity, virological and serological assays were also performed. Most of the selected studies focused on bacteria, although fungi, endotoxins, and β-glucans were also assessed. The only study concerning fungi and mycotoxins reported the carcinogenic mycotoxin AFB1. This study gives a comprehensive overview of microbial contamination in the poultry industry, emphasizing this setting as a potential reservoir of microbial pathogens threatening human, animal, and environmental health. Additionally, this research helps to provide a sampling and analysis protocol proposal to evaluate the microbiological contamination in these facilities. Few articles were found reporting fungal contamination in poultry farms worldwide. In addition, information concerning fungal resistance profile and mycotoxin contamination remain scarce. Overall, a One Health approach should be incorporated in exposure assessments and the knowledge gaps identified in this paper should be addressed in further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The review covers the current status and prospects for the development of digital colorimetry using a smartphone as a color recording device. The applications of the rapid analysis methodology for the control of environmental samples, biological fluids, food products, drugs, and some specific samples are systematized. Various approaches are considered, ensuring the formation of an analytical signal in digital colorimetry. The capabilities (advantages and disadvantages) of a smartphone equipped with various software products make it a universal, mobile, rapid, and sensitive tool in the analysis of various samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Invasive species surveillance programs can utilize environmental DNA sampling and analysis to provide information on the presence of invasive species. Wider utilization of eDNA techniques for invasive species surveillance may be warranted. This paper covers topics directed towards invasive species managers and eDNA practitioners working at the intersection of eDNA techniques and invasive species surveillance. It provides background information on the utility of eDNA for invasive species management and points to various examples of its use across federal and international programs. It provides information on 1) why an invasive species manager should consider using eDNA, 2) deciding if eDNA can help with the manager's surveillance needs, 3) important components to operational implementation, and 4) a high-level overview of the technical steps necessary for eDNA analysis. The goal of this paper is to assist invasive species managers in deciding if, when, and how to use eDNA for surveillance. If eDNA use is elected, the paper provides guidance on steps to ensure a clear understanding of the strengths and limitation of the methods and how results can be best utilized in the context of invasive species surveillance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both the environment and human health have suffered as a result of excessive and irrational pesticide use. The human body is vulnerable to a wide range of illnesses brought on by prolonged exposure to or intake of food contaminated with pesticide residues, including immunological and hormonal abnormalities and the development of certain tumors. Sensors based on nanoparticles stand out from more conventional spectrophotometry analytical methods due to their low detection limits, high sensitivity, and ease of use; that is why the demand for simple, fast, and less expensive sensing methods increases daily and presents myriad uses. Such demands are fulfilled by employing paper-based analytical devices having intrinsic properties. The presented work reports an on-site, easy-to-handle, and disposable paper-based sensing device for performing fast screening along with readout from a smartphone. The fabricated device utilizes luminescent silica quantum dots, immobilized into a paper cellulose matrix, and the resonance energy transfer phenomenon is employed. The silica quantum dots probes were fabricated from citric acid and, by undergoing physical adsorption, were confined on the nitrocellulose substrate in small wax-traced spots. The silica quantum dots were excited by smartphone ultraviolet LED, acting as an energy source and for capturing the image. The obtained LOD is 0.054 μM, and the coefficient of variation is less than 6.1%, comparable to the result obtained by UV–Visible and fluorometric analysis under similar experimental conditions. In addition, high reproducibility (≥9.8%) and high recovery ≥90% were obtained in spiked blood samples. The fabricated sensor sensitively detected pesticides giving a LOD of 2.5 ppm along with the development of yellow color within a short period of 5 min. The sensor functions well when sophisticated instrumentation is not accessible. The presented work shows the potential of the paper strip for the on-site detection of pesticides in biological and environmental samples. • The easy-to-handle, less expensive and disposable paper-based sensing device for the rapid on-site detection of pesticides is fabricated. • The luminescent silica quantum dots were immobilized in detection zones fabricated on paper for detection. • High reproducibility (≥9.8%) and high recovery ≥90% were obtained in real samples containing chlorpyrifos, lambda, and bifenthrine. • The fabricated nanosensors sensitively detected pesticides giving a LOD of 2.5 ppm. • The present method is an effective approach for analytical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Viruses are the most abundant biological entities on earth and are important components of microbial communities. A metagenome contains all microorganisms from an environmental sample. Correctly identifying viruses from these mixed sequences is critical in viral analyses. It is common to identify long viral sequences, which has already been passed thought pipelines of assembly and binning. Existing deep learning-based methods divide these long sequences into short subsequences and identify them separately. This makes the relationships between them be omitted, leading to poor performance on identifying long viral sequences. In this paper, VirGrapher is proposed to improve the identification performance of long viral sequences by constructing relationships among short subsequences from long ones. VirGrapher see a long sequence as a graph and uses a Graph Convolutional Network (GCN) model to learn multilayer connections between nodes from sequences after a GCN-based node embedding model. VirGrapher achieves a better AUC value and accuracy on validation set, which is better than three benchmark methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) belong to a group of synthetic compounds that have recently raised concerns about human health and environmental quality due to their great prevalence, degradation resistance, and potential toxicity. This review focuses on the applications of PFAS and their effects on human health. Specific emphasis has been laid on (i) the application/use of PFAS, (ii) sources and distribution of PFAS in diverse environmental compartments, and (iii) the impact of PFAS on human health. Significant health effects on humans are associated with exposure to PFAS, i.e., immunotoxicity, thyroid and kidney disorders, cancer, etc. Conclusions obtained from PFAS studies demonstrate that inadequate evidence should not be used to justify delaying risk reduction steps for PFAS alternatives. PFAS can be determined in different environmental matrices using both traditional analytical approaches, i.e., liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and semi-quantitative and passive sampling, and advanced analytical methods with colorimetric, spectrofluorimetric, and electrochemical detection. Traditional methods are costly and not broadly available, while the emerging, cost-effective methods are less sensitive and unable to meet regulatory exposure limits. There is still a significant number of studies to be performed to fully comprehend the real contamination by PFAS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of nitrite (NO2−) and nitrate (NO3−) is essential in the global nitrogen cycle. Monitoring their concentration in environmental and industrial aqueous samples, surface water, soil, food and agricultural products are of high importance. Especially, the effect of anthropogenic emission, i.e., intensified agriculture is essential due to the overuse of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. The most widely utilized methods for nitrate and nitrite determination are colorimetry, potentiometry, UV absorption and liquid chromatography. Among them, UV spectroscopy is the most frequently used technique due to the fact of its versatility and simplicity. However, there are industrial and academic needs to develop new methods to overcome some drawbacks of the currently used techniques such as an inadequate limit of detection and potential interferences with organic compounds in the sample. In this paper, we report on the development of a new analytical method based on capillary electrophoresis separation with high-sensitivity UV detection, capable of measuring trace concentrations of nitrite and nitrate well below the current limits of UV spectroscopy methods. During the development process special attention was paid to practical aspects, i.e., the method was tested to quantify nitrate and nitrite in various surface water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is one of the deadliest form of cancer in Europe, characterized by a lack of obvious symptoms until the terminal stages of the illness. Electronic noses are a rising screening technology to detect early-stage lung cancer directly in the homes of people at risk. Electronic noses need to be tested using samples from patients. However, obtaining numerous samples from cancer patient turns out to be a difficult task in practice. Therefore, the development of a sensor benchmark able to evaluate the performance of sensors without direct breath sampling is of high interest. This paper focuses on the methodology for developing such a benchmark, in the case of a breath sampling electronic nose. The setup used is introduced and general recommendations based on literature and undergoing experiments is detailed. The benchmark can be used for a variety of sensors and a variety of target illnesses. It is also possible to apply it to other types of medical gaseous samples or environmental VOC monitoring. The benchmark is currently still undergoing tests, and results will be published in a following article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality of marketed pharmaceutical formulations must be guaranteed to attain better remedial effects and lower toxicity. The wide exploitation of antibiotics may lead to their presence as residues in body fluids and wastewaters, potentially toxic to human health. Consequently, determining antibiotics in pharmaceutical formulations and water samples is of significant importance. This paper aims to explore the possibilities of a high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array detection (HPLC-DAD) method to obtain a simple, fast, and efficient analytical tool for the simultaneous determination of antibiotics in pharmaceutical formulations and environmental samples. The method was completely validated with regard to specificity, linearity, detection and quantification limits, precision, accuracy, and robustness according to the requirements of existing guidelines, and was proven to be reliable and suitable for the envisioned application. The linearity study was conducted for the calibration curves in the range of 10–100 μg/mL. The limits of detection and quantification were found to be 0.2 and 0.7 μg/mL for amoxicillin and 0.3 and 1.0 μg/mL for doxycycline, respectively. The high recovery of drugs from their commercial pharmaceutical formulations (93%) and from wastewater samples (98%) indicated good accuracy and precision. The method is robust for small or deliberate changes to the chromatographic parameters, and it was successfully applied for the quantitative determination of amoxicillin and doxycycline in wastewater and commercial tablets. The obtained results proved that the validated method is appropriate for its intended use in the routine quality control and assay of both antibiotics studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen peroxide is a useful molecule in biological and chemical reactions, but in excess harmful. Developing simple, low cost, and quick analytical method capable of detecting H2O2 is still critical. In this proposed work, our main objective was to synthesize nanocomposite of Musa paradisiaca L. peels (MPLP) by fine tuning its structure and properties with magnetite (Fe3O4). The characterization study, such as UV–Vis, FT-IR, SEM, EDX, XRD, VSM, Zeta potential, and BET were carried out effectively. The change in color from the initial grey to blue could be observed with naked eye (approximately 30 s) and the sensor established a colorimetric response in a relatively wide range of 0.01 μM to 0.9 mM with a lower detection limit (LOD) of 0.008 μM and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.02 μM. Interference tests (using cations and organic chemicals) and real samples application (Tap water and milk) were used to evaluate the sensor's selectivity with recovery values ranging from 96 to 99% close to the H2O2 detection endpoint. The MPLP nanocomposite reflected a strong peroxidase-like activity for 3, 3, 5, 5, tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) oxidation in the presence of H2O2, having enzyme mimicking properties. Our study established a sensitive and selective optical sensing platform based on the green plant material for H2O2 detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel chromogenic azo-azomethine chemosensor, namely 2-((E)-(2-(benzo[ d ]thiazol-2-yl)hydrazineylidene)methyl)-4-((E)-phenyldiazenyl)phenol (referred to as L), was rationally designed and synthesized. • L could sense cyanide ion without interference of other anions. • Sensing mechanism of cyanide sensing was confirmed by 1H NMR and DFT calculations. • Reversibility and reusability of the sensor was confirmed by paper strip experiment. • The practical applicability of the probe for cyanide detection in environmental sample have been achieved. A novel chromogenic azo-azomethine chemosensor, namely 2-((E)-(2-(benzo[ d ]thiazol-2-yl) hydrazineylidene)methyl)-4-((E)-phenyldiazenyl)phenol (referred to as L), was rationally designed and synthesized. The molecular structure of L was established using various spectroscopic and spectrometry techniques including NMR, FT-IR and mass. The spectral profile including absorption and fluorescence were recorded in solvents of varying polarity. The sensor responsiveness towards different anions was evaluated visually and established using UV–vis spectroscopy and NMR studies. A binary solution of DMSO/H 2 O (6:4, v:v) was used for anion recognition studies. A color change from colorless to yellow was noticed upon addition of CN– ion to the probe (L) solution. The developed probe was found to be very sensitive towards CN– ion with a detection limit of 21 nM. Benesi-Hildebrand plot revealed a binding constant of 1.2*103 M-2and the binding stoichiometry of 1:2 was confirmed using Job's plot. 1H NMR studies were utilised to ascertain the recognition mechanism which revealed the CN– ion assisted deprotonation of N-H and O-H group of L. The recognition mechanism established using NMR technique has been supported theoretically by DFT based studies. Additionally, cost-effective paper strips coated with L has been proved to be a convenient tool for detecting CN– ion in aqueous solutions. The reversibility and reusability of the developed probe was also investigated in both solution as well as solid state using trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) without any loss of the sensitivity of the developed probe. Moreover, the developed probe recognises cyanide ion in environmental samples with around 100 % recovery. The practical application of the Logic gate response of L was confirmed by paper strip experiment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Members of the genus Sarcocystis are protozoan parasites having two-host prey–predator cycle. These parasites are widespread in farm animals. Sarcocystis species are characterized morphologically in intermediate hosts, and these parasites are identified in definitive hosts by molecular methods. Thus far, only few studies have been conducted on Sarcocystis parasites in environmental samples. The aim of the present work was to evaluate several sample preparation and polymerase chain reaction methods for the identification of several Sarcocystis species in water samples. Overall, 114 samples collected from various water sources, ponds, canals, lakes, lagoons, and rivers in Lithuania were tested for the presence of Sarcocystis spp. Based on molecular methods, eight Sarcocystis species, S. bovifelis, S. cruzi, S. hirsuta, S. arieticanis, S. tenella, S. capracanis, S. bertrami, and S. miescheriana, were identified. The main intermediate hosts of detected Sarcocystis parasites are cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and pigs. Further, more sensitive molecular techniques are needed for the development of the diagnosis of Sarcocystis species in water bodies. Sarcocystis parasites are among the most common parasitic protozoa in farm animals. So far, the diversity of these parasites has been mainly studied in animal carcasses by morphological or molecular methods. Research on parasitic protozoa in environmental samples is scarce due to the lack of an appropriate methodology and low concentrations of parasites. For these reasons, there is a paucity of validated methods for Sarcocystis identification from environmental samples. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate various molecular methods for Sarcocystis parasite identification in water samples. In the present study, the sample volume, sporocysts isolation, and various conventional PCR were evaluated, and species-specific primers for the identification of different Sarcocystis species have been developed. Of the methods studied, based on data the most appropriate method for the identification of analyzed Sarcocystis spp. in water bodies is nested PCR, using species-specific primers targeting the cox1 gene. Sarcocystis DNA was detected in 111 out of 114 (97.4%) samples. This paper represents the first identification of S. bovifelis, S. cruzi, S. hirsuta, S. arieticanis, S. tenella, S. capracanis, S. bertrami, and S. miescheriana by PCR and sequencing in environmental water samples. Our pilot study is useful in developing techniques for the identification of Sarcocystis species from water samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) combined with chromatographic separation techniques is one of the most common and widespread methods in the study of environmental samples. Gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC–HRMS) is of great interest in the field of targeted and non-targeted analysis of various xenobiotics. Because of obvious limitations of the GC–HRMS method in terms of the analyzed organic substances, there has long been debates among researchers and users of modern GC–HRMS equipment about the expediency and justification of using high and ultra-high resolution. This paper considers a number of examples of the application of GC–HRMS both tor complex mixtures of polyhalogenated compounds and in routine analyses in an attempt to answer the question about the optimal resolution of a mass analyzer for GC–HRMS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sulfur-containing metal–organic framework, donated as UiO-66-NSMe, was prepared by the post-synthetic modification (PSM) of UiO-66-NH2 with 2-(Methylthio)benzaldehyde, and the successful synthesis of PSM was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), FT-IR and 1H NMR studies. According to the characteristics of mercury thiophilic, UiO-66-NSMe could be used as a luminescent sensor for Hg2+ detection with a high selectivity and sensitivity (Ksv = 2.5 × 104 M−1; LOD = 20 nM), which could be attributed to the coordination between sulfur sites and Hg2+ based on XPS results. In practical applications, UiO-66-NSMe yielded satisfactory recovery rates (ranging from 96.1% to 99.5%) when it was employed for detecting Hg2+ in spiked environmental samples. Furthermore, UiO-66-NSMe was successfully employed to detect mercury (II) residues with the in situ rapid nondestructive imaging in simulated fresh agricultural products. Thus, this PSM strategy could provide good guidance for environmental protection methodologies in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]